Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy presents for a squad that now faces a congested calendar at Liverpool. He noted that some athletes can comfortably manage a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in output, while others are more vulnerable and see a clear decline in their performances. "I have to learn who can handle a game every two or three days and who needs a rest to keep their level steady," he explained, adding that the situation is still evolving because several of his players have not been accustomed to such a demanding schedule.
The issue became starkly apparent on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a lacklustre draw by a Fulham side that had already lost three league games. The mid‑week European clash against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League seemed to have taken its toll. After the match, Iraola admitted, "There was a clear lack of freshness – we cannot hide that." He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" under Premier League timing rules and warned that the club will need to adapt quickly.
Looking ahead, the fixture list underscores how tight the schedule will become. Following the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City, then travel to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz, and within 72 hours are back on the road to face Brentford. In October the sequence repeats with a home showdown against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and an away match at Crystal Palace.
November adds another Champions League outing against Club Brugge sandwiched between games versus Manchester United and Everton. This relentless rhythm is the reality for any top‑level team, and Iraola’s biggest unknown is how his players will cope with the physical demands while still executing his high‑intensity, off‑the‑ball pressing system.
During pre‑season, Iraola stressed that he was asking his squad to adopt slightly different responsibilities, especially when out of possession. He cited Alexander Isak’s comments after a friendly against Monaco: "We are all working hard to make things work." The first true test of this approach arrived against Fulham, where Liverpool had to transition from a draining Champions League night—where they came from behind to win—to a domestic match that required them to set the tempo from the outset. In the post‑match press conference, Iraola was blunt about the shortcomings. He said the team arrived late to the first press in the opening half, and although tactical tweaks were made at halftime, the problem persisted.
Liverpool’s defensive shape often split into two units: a back line that fell back while the forwards pressed high. This created gaps that Fulham’s attackers, such as Josh King, exploited, allowing them space and even an easy outlet for goalkeeper Bernd Leno, which temporarily removed several Liverpool forwards from the attack. Statistically, Liverpool’s pressing intensity is measured by Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA).
So far this season, the Reds sit at a remarkable 8.6 PPDA, lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp. However, against Fulham the figure rose above the season average, suggesting the squad was not operating at its usual tempo. Despite this, Liverpool leads the league in total sprints and ranks 12th in overall distance covered, confirming that the team is indeed moving more, sprinting more, and pressing more than most rivals. Iraola’s mandate was to re‑introduce this brand of high‑energy football, but the real challenge now is to sustain it week after week.
He has begun rotating his wide players, giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, who struggled to match the intensity they displayed just three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, appeared tentative with the ball, drawing criticism from supporters who are weary of excuses for a player with a strong reputation. Yet his work‑rate remains impressive; he is second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, indicating that he could be a candidate for Iraola’s “every‑three‑days” rotation.
The manager acknowledged that fielding the same eleven every match is unrealistic. "You can put the same players in every game," he said, "but eventually they become fatigued and the injury risk rises." With key forward Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Isak to exhaustion, especially if his natural style does not align with a pressing forward’s demands. Similar questions arise for midfielders such as Trey Nyoni and seasoned campaigner Wataru Endo, who may need to shoulder more responsibility.
Overall, Iraola admits that this is a learning curve in uncharted territory. The central question that loomed before his appointment—how to manage three games in a week—has now become a daily reality. The Liverpool boss must continue to identify which players can sustain a three‑day turnaround, fine‑tune his tactical instructions, and perhaps adjust training loads to preserve freshness. Only time will tell whether his pressing blueprint can be consistently executed without compromising results or player health, but the early signs suggest a demanding yet potentially rewarding path forward.